WOULD HAVE / COULD HAVE is used to talk about an unreal past condition or an unfulfilled action in the past.
If we had known that you were there, we would have written you a letter.
(We didn't know that you were there) (We didn't write a letter)
The previous sentence or any such sentences can also be written as:
We would have written you a letter if we had known that you were there.
But do remember that there is no comma after the main clause in this style of construction.
If she had found the right buyer, she would have sold the house .
(She didn't find the right buyer) (She didn't sell the house)
If we had known that it would rain, we would have taken an umbrella with us.
(We didn't know that it would rain) (We didn't take an umbrella with us)
If the police had arrived in time, they could have caught the kidnapper.
(The police didn't arrive in time) (They couldn't/didn't catch the kidnapper)
If the firemen hadn't arrived, the house could have been destroyed completely.
(The fireman arrived) (The house was not destroyed completely)
In short, IF THE STATEMENT IS POSITIVE, THE MEANING WILL BE NEGATIVE, and VICE VERSA.
It's also possible to indicate a past unreal condition without using the word 'if'. In this case, the auxialiary 'had' is placed before rather than after, the subject. This clause will usually come first in the sentence.
E.g., Had we known that you were there, we would have written you a letter.
More examples:
If you had invited me, I would have attended the party.
If Indian team had decided to bat first, it/they would/could have won the match.
If he had taken care, he wouldn't have caught cold. (He didn't take care. He caught cold)
If Pooja hadn't talked much in the class, she could have got 8.0 bands in IELTS. (She talked much. She didn't get 8.0 bands)
If it hadn't snowed, we would/could have left yesterday.
If Tom had done his B.A, he could have got the promotion.
If you had told me, I would have bought your laptop.
1 comment:
Dear Jacob ji,
I am thankful to you that you spent some time to reveal the proper usage of 'would have'. It is really helpful and the examples you took, add to understand the meaning and usage more clearly.
Although it is very clear yet I have a question. I am a little confused about the statement you highlighted in Pink. I mean every other sentence goes according to it but under section 'More Examples' eg no 4, I think, doesn't go with it. As it says that if the statement is negative, the meaning should be positive but in this case, the statement is negative and the meaning is also negative. Please clarify.
Please don't mind, I take some time to grasp the new things. Also, can you please publish a few more examples with 'couldn't have' if possible.
Blessings,
Pooja
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